Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Announced; Special Award Winners Revealed

📸 Rand Thompson

The votes have been tallied, and the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the Class of 2026. These eleven individuals will be formally inducted into the Hall on Sunday November 1, 2026 at the University Comfort Inn located in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan.

From the "Other than Driver" category are Ralph Young, the late Jim & Nancy Martin, and the late Patty Raisbeck.

From the "Drag Racing" category is Leo Zynda III. Getting the nod in the "Other Motorsports" category are Troy DeWald, and Bob Kaiser.

In the "Oval Track-Historical Era" are Brian Huntley and Denny Owens. Completing the field in the: Oval Track-Modern Era" are Todd Rosebrugh and John Turnbull Jr.

Young is widely known as the man who gave Benny Parsons his start by selling him his first race car and being his crew chief during Benny's time in ARCA. Over the years, Young had his own driving career as well but is mostly known as a great crew chief and teacher.

The Martins spent well over 30 years in a support role doing scoring, timing, promoting, and officiating at places like Manchester, Jackson, Butler, Spartan, and Michigan International.

Raisbeck, who was the head scorer from 1973 until retiring in 2005 at the Owosso speedway is widely known as one of the top old-time scorers in Michigan.

Leo Zynda is a multi-time champion and winner in both NHRA and IHRA competition all over the Midwest and is the proprietor of the famed "Ring and Pinion" shop in the suburban Detroit area.

DeWald is a 3 time I-500 winner over a 32-year career in snowmobile racing. DeWald is widely known as one of the most dominant and respected individuals in snowmobile racing.

Kaiser, a multi time APBA Offshore Power Boat Racer and Entrepreneur who hails from Grosse Pointe, Michigan has raced and won in events all over the world. Kaiser is one of the most recognizable names in all of Powerboat racing.

With careers starting over 50 years ago both Owens and Huntley have had a long tenure in the sport with Huntley starting in the Soap Box Derby before moving on to snowmobiles and motorcycles. over the years, Huntley has racked up over 50 wins while competing at 30 different tracks in various traveling series all over the Midwest.

Owens, whose career started in 1972 and resulted in three championships and 66 feature wins over the years. These days as of 2020, Denny has been a crew chief for his son's racing efforts.

The Oval Track-Modern Era sees two second generation racers being inducted to the Hall and both men follow their fathers into the Hall.

Todd Rosebrugh from the Racing Rosebrugh Family follows his father Tom, who was inducted in 2017. Rosebrugh is a very accomplished racer with 5 IMCA Championships at Merritt Speedway, 3 Wood Tic 100 wins and a 4 time "Growler 100" winner. The Growler is named after Tom Rosebrugh.

John Turnbull Jr. follows in the footsteps of his father John Turnbull Sr., a 2022 Inductee and former open wheel standout. John Jr. started in 1/4 midgets and finished in 410 Sprint Cars won and amassed over 200 Feature wins in racing vehicles such as Super Late Models, Legends Cars, Featherlite Modifieds, ASA Late Models. Turnbull Jr. spent some time testing Craftsman Trucks and the Nationwide Series.

The Lifetime Dedication Award which is given to an individual that has dedicated their life to and has made a huge contribution to Motorsports and the support thereof. Past recipients include: O.B. Granger, Art & Fern Newman, Fred Alberts, Dick Alberts, Ron Parish, Phil Collins, Hub Becker, Auto Value, Dan VanKoevering, Jack Gritter, Ray Laney, Laura Devlin, Gene & Linda Henrickson, Dick Stemler, Linda Bloom, Wayne Bishop, and Suzanne Royce.

The Dick Beebe Memorial Award is given to someone that has made contributions and given support in more of a supporting or behind the scenes role much like Dick Beebe did although Dick was always out front and 100%. Past recipients include: Jan Bailey, Sue Lincoln, Stella Lindahl, Jake Dickman, Rusty Daggett, Lane Automotive, Tom Benson-RE/MAX, George Keen, Ron Varesh, Gary Lindahl, Scott Schultz, Laura Tucker, Nancy Brown, Jeanne Lindahl, and Barab Benson.

The Mick Schuler Media Award is given to someone in the media, whether they be an announcer, writer, radio personality, photographer, etc. Past recipients include Darcie Fuzi, Greg Hunnicutt, Steve Kaminski, Steve & Sherry Landon, T.J. Buffenbarger, Ed Inloes, Paul Fletcher, Verwayne Greenhoe, Terry Fitzwater, John Berglund, Mike Brudenell, Gteg Yost, Larry Loynes, Ken Fairchild, Roger Williams, Gertrude "Gert" Estes, Matt Prieur, John Singler, Bob Sherman, and Howard Williams.

At present for 2026. A recipient of the Lifetime Dedication Award has been selected and will be released once the family knows the information.

The Dick Beebe Award will be selected after a list of possible names is submitted to the family as requested and will be announced later this summer.

I can however release the recipient of this years Mick Schuler Media Award. That person is the owner of Level Pebble photography and a good friend of racing, Mr. Rand Thompson. Rand is a long time Board Member and P.R. Director of the Michigan Auto Racing Fan Club (MARFC). Rand also is a Board Member of the MMSHoF. Rand runs a facebook page focusing on racing books and is very well versed in that arena.

Rand served as a race report writer for the Corrigan Oil Speedway back in the early 2010's decade and is the long-time track photographer for the Toledo and Flat Rock Speedways.

In addition to all of that, Rand volunteers with the Michigan International Speedway in coordinating and leading pit tours on race weekends as well as volunteering with the MSPA to take care of logistical items at the semiannual MSPA Meetings.

  More detailed Biographies of all these 2026 Inductees will be posted in the next few weeks on the Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame website at www.mmshof.org.